MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 4, 6 January 1931, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

NEW YEAR OPENS WELL.

LOWER MARKET RANGOON RICE.

KHEDRAWI DATES SCARCE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT.

"Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, January 6, 1931. During the past week wholesale grocery merchants have been operating with just sufficient staff to take care of any very urgent orders required by either the town or country storekeepers. Wednesday, December 24, was unusually busy, merchants being required to complete their shipment of consignments to the Tofua, which left on the following Saturday morning. On the whole business for the Islands was rather' light, the main Christmas requirements being procured by the Tofua on her previous trip. On Saturday the 27th ulto., merchants were only open for the half-day to take care -of any urgent business. During New Year week grocery houses were busy in attending to storekeepers' mailed and telegraphed orders, although their more general requirements will probably be left till this week on account of retailers being too busy to attend to anything except very urgent necessities. All wholesale houses opened for 'business yesterday, and as •merchants are fully staffed again and travellers are taking up their usual > routine, business should be down to normal by the end of the week. As a result of storekeepers' increased sales during the holidays, a substantial mail was received yesterday which will keep both ipackinfi and dispatch departments going at full pressure for the main part of this week. General Stocks. Although merchants cleaned up on most Californian lines, including raisins, etc., before the holidays, supplies will.be available almost immediately, as the Golden Cloud (brought further consignments of new season's stock. During the past week fairly heavy consignments of merchants' overseas indents have also come to hand, and these are Ibeing taken into store as quickly as possible to obviate •further storage charges. From England representative assortments have been received of ibofch Crosse and Blackweils and Morton's goods, and by trans-shipment l'/16's and 4i's Norwegian sardines, dried peaches, packet arrowroot in l's and Ws, caustic soda, chloride of lime and peel. A new New Zealand packing of canned oysters is being placed on this market, first deliveries commencing about April next. Packing is in a new style sanitary ooz can with contents fully guaranteed. This new line is packed under a new and improved process which retains the natural flavour, colour and fibre of the oyster, so that fairly good sales should be reported. The first tea sale of the year as being held at Colombo to-day, and it is •understood that as there were no sales during the holidays fairly heavy quantities have been sent into the market, so that the auction to-day is likely to be very much larger than usual. Preserving jars in all sizes, also jam and jelly jars as well as preserving pans are already selling well, •and from present indications it looks as n quite good business will be transacted in all these 'lines. Rubber rings are also selling well. In this connection it is noted that there is a much greater demand this year for the higher grade rubber rings in • preference to the composition type. Rangoon Rice. Since last report business on Rangoon rice has been confirmed at a further decline of 10/ per ton, and it is estimated that the present market rate is very near bottom. These quotations are all offered for direct shipment March/April steamer. There are quite a number ot intending buyers who have not yet operated, and it is evident that there is still a considerable amount of business to be done in this quarter. Dates. Cable advices point to the date market being fairly firm, and reports in regard to -earlier shipment are that Khedrawi are likely to be scarce, although Sairs are plentiful. A cable received from another quarter indicates that loose pack in both Saii-s and Khedrawis are_ not available for immediate shipment. Khedrawi bulk tor January shipment are very scarce. A new pack in Cellophane stoned dates in half-pound packages has been offered on this market. 1 his line has been offered before but not in Cellophane, and this latest type of packing is likely to prove quite attractive owing to the interest that has been shown in stoned dates lately. Coffee Beans. The market for Java Robusta coffee beans has remained very firm at the last advance which took place some months ago. Cables received last week advise that latest" quotations had Shown a decline of 10/ per ton, but that there did not seem to' be any tendency for further declines on t'his market. Quite attractive quotations have been made on new season's offerings of Mocha .beans, the decline on present quotations as against last offerings being approximately £o per ton on the various grades. Shipment is offered for January/February. Figs. Latest cables also report that notwithstanding the re-shipments that were made from America to London all packings of Smyrna figs are very scarce, that 28's* naturals have advanced £3 per -on. Greek Currants. Cables received during the week advised that Ainalia currants have been increased 6d per cwt, and that Patras remain unaltered meantime. A good deal of business has been passing on Amabas whicn accounts for the increase, and Patras nave been rather neglected. New prices tor Vostizzas, .both sun-dried and shade-diled, have been named and show & high vanie, although the demand for this better class of fruit is small, mainly on account ot the consistent quality of Australian. It has already been noted that Australian currants were withdrawn a fortnight ago and that there was some doubt as to whetnei merchants' orders previously placed beiOie this notification would be executed. Latest advices are to the effect that some ot the earlier orders will be coming forvvard, which 'has considerably eased the^ situation. pineapples. Quotations from Siugapore on pineapples have shown little change during the holidays, practically all packings of both first and second quality cubes and slices remaining at the low level previously quoted. Advices have been received from one of the principal shippers that the pineapple factories are now in a position to start canning in full swing on the small crop which is coming in quite freely. They mentioned that current prices are fairly low, and that it values are forced down much further by the European buyers canning operations will no doubt be restricted. If, however, the full crop comes in canners are likely to be anxious sellers on account of the pressure of the stock held, so that at the moment it is rather difficult to forecast the ultimate trend of this market. | Tapiocas. ! Since the last direct boat left Singapore! prices have again fallen, although only j very slightly. Mail information is to the : effect that fairly heavy stocks are being held at Penang which has been responsible for the late declines in the market. The j Indians are rather an important factor in this market, and as long as they keep out there seems no reason to think that •ices will advance meantime as otner consumers are buying very sparingly. peppers. Both white and black peppers have ,iown declines on previous rates and >l 'c-e is very little interest being taken at r • • -Tilt.

Resin. Latest cable advices from America indicate that resin has shown some fluctuation during the past week or two. "G" is recorded as showing a decline of 1/ per ton, while "N" has advanced 5/6. This latest decline makes "G" very favourable, whilst the latest ruling price on "N" brings this grade to approximately £1 per ton above the previous ruling low level. Whole Ginger. The market for whole Cochin ginger is apparently very weak, latest prices being listed at a level representing a decline of 14/6 per cwt on opening rates which were named about two months ago. To-day's quotations 'therefore represent the lowest level that this market has reached for over a period of many years. Canary Seed. Prices for canary seed have remained fairly staple during recent months being later followed by a firmer tone, although this last increase was of very little consequence as the bulk of business had already been done when 'opening prices were first named. Recent cables have indicated that the market is again showing an easing tendency, and prices to-day for either Turkish or Moroccan are listed at a reduction of £1 per ton. Java Kernels. C.i.f. quotations for Java peanut kernels named for November/December delivery showed an advance on previous quotations of 10/ per ton. Late cables _ indicate that the market is again easier, and shippers are now offering on a c.i.f. and e. basis for March/ April steamer, the latest quotation showing an approximate decline against previous rates of £1 10/ per ton. Haricot Beans. The most recent quotations for No. 1 diand-picked Haricot beans have shown a further decline, the latest quotations being 15/ .per ton cheaper than the best offers for November-December shipment. Acids. Late cables received from London advise that citric acid lias shown a further decline, the latest alteration being a reduction of 5/ per ton. Cream of tartar and tartaric acid both remain unchanged meantime. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter—First grade factory, booked, 1/1% per lb and 1/1 per lb for prompt cash; second grade factory, booked. IP/ad per lb and lid per lb for prompt cash; farmers' separator, 9d per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, medium size, mild, B%d to OVid per lb net; loaf, 9d per lb net; Chesdale, 61b bars, 1/3 per lb; 7oz packets, 9/6 per dozen. Bacon.—Hams, 1/1 per lb; rolled hams, 1/3 per lb; cooked whole ham, 1/7 per lb; cooked pressed hams, 1/9 per lb; bacon sides, lOd per lb; rolled sides, 1/ per lb; middles, 1/ per lb; shoulders, 7d per lb; rolled shoulders, 9d per lb; lard, bulk, 7 3 /£ dto 9d per lb; pats, 8d to 9d per lb. Flour. —Local, 2001b sacks, £18 10/ per ton; 100's, £19 5/ per ton; 50's, £19 15/ per ton; 25's, £20 10/ per ton; 12%'s, £21 7/6 per ton; 6}4's, £21 17/6 per ton. , Linseed.—Whole, 22/ per cwt; ground, 22/ per 1001b. Malt.—Crushed, 10/3 per bushel; whole, white, 9/9 per bushel; whole black, 13/ per bushel. . j Twines.—'Seaming, 3/6 per lb; binder, 8d per lb. Peameal. —12/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts—ls/ per 1001b. Bluestone.—37/6 per cwt. Linseed Meal.—l 7/ per 1001b. Raisins. In recent cables, received Thompson's unbleached raisins show a slight advance for immediate shipment, and 6d per cwt increase is being asked for forward shipment. „